Just back from 13 days on Bonaire with my Cousin Steve. 3rd trip for us in 4 years to Bonaire. Once again, another great trip. Tanks through Photo Tours.

I want to say thank you to Jake for a big favor, especially when he was on a tight schedule. I'm buying the beer when back on Bonaire, whether it ends up being February/March or November/December.

Another bunch of fabulous meals too. Two Bonaire Talker dinners at Gibi's meeting lots of nice people. Took Merci's advice and had dinner at the new Bistro de Paris. Patrice has a fantastic restaurant and it was the best meal I've ever had on Bonaire. Had 4 (or was it 5?) great meals again at Donna & Georgio, 2 at Casablanca (mixed grill, what else?), the new tapas place down on the water, a nice wahoo at It Rains Fishes. Somehow I put on weight and I never do that; it's muscle and that's the story I'm sticking too.

Passed 100 dives on this trip of which about 2/3 are in the Netherlands Antilles. Sites dived include Cai, White Hole (27 tarpon, a turtle, two enormous green morays that were about 6 feet and much smaller than Mr. Rogers, a very old porcupine fish that was easily 2 1/2 feet long with very shaggy fins), Willemstoren Light, Red Slave, Invisibles twice, Margate Bay twice, Hilma Hooker, Taylor Maid, Bopec, Oil Slick Leap, 1000 Steps, Monk's Haven and Rock Pile on Klein, Punt Vierkant, Aquarius, North Belnem, Bachelor's Beach, Pink Beach, Larry's Lair for a total of 23 or so. The best were Cai and White Hole one day and late afternoon dives at Invisibles and Margate Bay.

We did Cai and White Hole with Larry's Wild Side Diving, which is not to be missed. The rules may seem a little rigid at first but it makes sense given the boat layout. Larry is very safety conscious. It's a boat fit for special forces and the best dive boat I've every been on. I told Larry that the boat was enough to give me faith in boat dives again. I'll do a couple of dives with him next time on island, maybe Lagoen and Spelonk Lighthouse. Maybe some sites further north. It costs more than boat dives elsewhere on the island, but it's worth every penny. The boat is incredible and so is the diving. Bring your own nitrox; air is provided.

And if Bas is healthy (and back on island), I'll do a couple of East side shore dives with him. I'll do Windjammer with Eddie and a modified tech rig. Both Eddie and Bas work for Photo Tours.

Stayed at Coco Palm Garden again. Brigitte and Marion provide nice clean affordable apartments and studios. Steve and I like getting a two bedroom apartment and the price is very reasonable. I'm not big on resorts anyway so it's just right for me.

Another highlight was meeting Grendel. What a sweet dog. Saw lots of Caribbean Parakeets as well as Bonairean Parrots trip. Also saw what appeared to be a solid black hummingbird from about 5 ft away. I've never seen one like that before but I assume it must have been an Emerald Hummingbird since they are supposed to appear almost black. Of course, flamingos, frigate birds and pelicans too. Saw a white-tailed hawk and some ospreys. Naturally saw lots and lots of bananaquits (big voice, little bird), tropical mockingbirds, doves and these orange and black birds with colors like a Baltimore Oriole.

Steve bought a Sealife digital camera to replace his Sealife film camera. We have split development costs over the 7 or 8 years he's had the camera for a total of about $1000. He took more pictures this trip than in all of that previous time. So that camera was a great deal and it was on sale. It's so much easier to take good pictures with a digital camera since you can see what you've taken and what you are about to shoot. Digital cameras are highly recommended. If I get motivated, I'll post some with his permission.

Anyway, that's about it.

Lee you bum...post the pics

You tell 'em Wally!

Mare

Lee,

This group gets real grumpy if their are no pictures with the report. Tough crowd. Trust me.

Dr. Doo

What a nice report, Lee! Thanks for the details. Hope your buddy lets you post some pics soon so we can all drool on them! Ayo. Carole

What's up with Bas? Is he sick?

Thanks, Carol. I'm hoping to get permission to post them tonight. They are, after all, his, even if I've got a copy.

Bas had a bad cold (means no diving!). I'm assuming he's okay now. He's also on vacation now and I hope he has a good time. Seems that everyone who comes into contact with him likes the guy. I know we do.

Ha! I saw a similar humming bird too, that was black, and with my knowlege of North American humming birds I asked the Inn owner what THAT bird was. I was told it was a Black Humming bird! ....didn't know there was one! I've seen it 2 subsequent visits too!

John and Sue,
I'll email you about Bas.
Yanagirl

Okay, got permission to post pictures. Should get to later this evening.

We're ready and waiting, Lee! Thanks for thinking of us. It's fun to post them and lots of fun for us to look at them, too. Carole

Okay, finally got some images up for you. http://www1.stormforge.net/diving/ 23-26 Nov with 27 Nov - 3 Dec to come.

The images are not opening up for me.

Lee, they opened up for me OK. Nice pics and looks like you had a lot of dive time and a great time. Thanks for letting us enjoy the photos. Carole